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Jordan Thompson was all smiles after beating Rafael Nadal in a doubles match at the Brisbane International and admitted that he told the Spaniard after their 2022 French Open meeting that it "was a pleasure" to play him but it actually wasn't fun.
On Sunday, Australia's Thompson and Max Purcell defeated Nadal and Marc Lopez 6-4 6-4 in their Brisbane doubles opener. The stands were full and there was a big interest in the match since Nadal was playing his first official match in 12 months.
Thompson and Purcell, who were playing in front of their home fans, spoiled Nadal's return as the Australian duo delivered a good performance to clinch a straight-set win over the Spanish pair. For 29-year-old Thompson, this was his third time meeting Nadal on the court - but the first time in doubles. Previously, Nadal beat Thompson 6-1 7-6 (3) at the 2020 Paris Masters and the Spaniard also dismantled the Australian 6-2 6-2 6-2 in the 2022 French Open first round.
“It’s great to see Rafa back. I’ve been on the receiving end a couple of times in singles. So it’s nice to get him back on the doubles court," Thompson said on the cpirt after the doubles win. The interviewer then asked Thompson if beating Nadal in a doubles match was more enjoyable than playing him at his beloved Roland Garros.
Answering the question, Thompson made an honest admission regarding their 2022 French Open meeting: “I actually said at the shake of hands that Roland Garros was a pleasure but it wasn’t fun."
How Thompson, Purcell beat Nadal, Lopez in their Brisbane doubles opener?
Through the first four games of the match, not a single break point was seen. Then, Thompson and Purcell earned the first break points in the fifth game and they realized it to go 3-2 up.
In the seventh game, Thompson and Purcell had three break points to go up by a double break but Nadal and Lopez saved it to cut the deficit to 3-4. However, not going up by a double break didn't negatively impact Thompson and Purcell, who routinely served out the eighth and 10th games to win the first set.
After winning the first set, Thompson and Purcell also had a chance to go up by an early break in the second set but Nadal and Lopez saved two break points in the third game. Nadal and Lopez maybe avoided going down by an early break but Thompson and Purcell kept pushing and they managed to get a break in the seventh game. Up by a set and a break,
Thompson and Purcell realized their first match point in the 10th game. Thompson and Purcell will continue their Brisbane doubles campaign while Nadal will now focus on his Brisbane singles run.